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Theatre to Present Waiting for Godot

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Hope College Theatre will open its 2004 season with "Waiting for Godot," a tragicomedy
in two acts by Samuel Beckett.

The production will run Friday-Saturday, Feb. 13-14, and Wednesday-Saturday, Feb.
18-21. Curtain time is 8 p.m., and all performances will be in the DeWitt Center studio
theatre.

Published in 1952 as "En attendant Godot," the play premiered January 5, 1953, at
the Theatre de Babylone, rivre gauche, in Paris. "Waiting for Godot" is still renowned
as a unique dramatic innovation and the Theatre of the Absurd's first theatrical success.
During its opening season, it ran for 400 performances at the Theatre de Babylone
and was praised by dramatists such as Jean Anouilh, William Saroyan, Thornton Wilder,
and Tennessee Williams. "It will make it easier for me and everyone else to write
freely in the theatre," Saroyan commented.

"Waiting for Godot" presents a world which exemplifies the classic irrationality of
the Universe and the futility of human action, which are hallmarks of the Theatre
of the Absurd. Absurdist theatre typically dismisses the concepts of chronological
plot, logical language, and recognizable settings.

The playwright of "Waiting for Godot," Samuel Beckett, was born near Dublin, Ireland,
on April 13, 1906, and is remembered to have stated, "I had little talent for happiness."
His views are reflected in several of his works, especially in "Waiting for Godot,"
in which the characters constantly battle the human condition.

All of Beckett's major works were written in French. He believed that French, as opposed
to his native English, forced him to be more disciplined and to use the language more
wisely. However, Beckett himself eventually translated "Waiting for Godot" into English.

"Beckett's plays offer exciting and challenging roles for actors," said Daina Robins,
the production's director, who is an associate professor of theatre and chair of the
department at Hope. "In 1996 I had great fun directing his 'Endgame' in the studio
theatre, and I am again enjoying the process of working to understand and stage 'Godot.'
The student cast of 'Godot' is imaginative, flexible and diligent... wonderful attributes
to bring to such a rich text."

The cast includes sophomore David Paarlberg of Glen Rock, N.J., as Estragon; senior
Tim Heck of Libertyville, Ill., as Vladimir; senior Kristin M. Dowedite of Livonia
as Pozzo; sophomore Heather Janofski of Marquette as Lucky; and junior Clarissa Stowell
Gregory of Portage, Wis., as the Boy.

Scenery and props are designed by theatre faculty member Richard L. Smith, and costumes,
makeup, and hair are co-designed by faculty member Michelle Bombe and sophomore Jessica
Bodtke of Grand Junction. Lighting and sound design is by faculty member Perry Landes,
and Paul K. Anderson of the Hope staff is the technical director. The show's stage
manager is sophomore Myra Green of Laurel, Mont. The assistant stage managers are
sophomore Mike Dominiak of Dearborn and freshman Megan Elise Dougherty of Normal,
Ill.

Tickets for "Waiting for Godot" are $7 for regular admission, $5 for students and
members of the college's faculty and staff, and $4 for senior citizens, and are available
in the theatre lobby box office in the DeWitt Center.

The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekday performance
nights until 8 p.m. The box office may be contacted at (616) 395-7890.

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